Raymond J. Tarsa

Mr. Raymond J. Tarsa, 93, of Melbourne Place, Pittsfield, formerly of 86 West Maple St., Adams, died on Friday, March 19, 2010, at Sweet Brook Care Center, Williamstown. He was born in North Adams on August 9, 1916, son of the late John and Louise (Kissel) Tarsa. He attended Brayton Elementary School, North Adams, and the former Adams High School. Mr. Tarsa was a member of the Army National Guard in the late 1930's and early 1940's. He worked for 40 years for General Electric Ordnance Systems until his retirement in 1979. He was a communicant of the former St. Stanislaus Kostka Church, Adams, and a member of the St. Stanislaus Kostka Society. He was an Adams Town Meeting Member for many years, and served on the Northern Berkshire Vocational Regional School District Committee for 30 years. He was active in local Boy Scout Troop 56 and Berkshire Council of Boy Scouts. He received the Silver Beaver Award in 1959 and had also received the St. Georges Catholic Award in Scouting in 1960. He was well known for floating his cottage across Windsor Pond in 1968. He enjoyed tinkering in his cellar, spending time with his family, and taking trips to McDonalds with the family dogs. His wife, the former Lillian S. Wegrzyn whom he married on October 19, 1940, died on June 8, 1982. He is survived by; 1 Son - John J. Tarsa and his wife Barbara of Adams; 2 Daughters - Elizabeth L. Wells and her husband Daniel of Palm Harbor, FL, and Jean M. Beauchemin and her husband Richard Jr. of Adams; 1 Sister - Helen Tarsa of Adams; 6 Grandchildren - Christopher J. Tarsa and his wife Nerea, Robert J. Tarsa, Jonathan D. Wells and his wife Heather Thompson, Caroline Wells and her husband Philip Hervey, Scott A. Beauchemin and Susan M. Beauchemin; 2 Great Grandchildren - Ava T. Wells and Brynne E. Hervey; 5 Great Step-Grandchildren - Dylan Erd-Thompson, Wilder Erb-Thompson, Patrick Gibson, Alison Gibson, and Kyle Gibson; 1 Sister-in-Law - Helen Skowronski and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by 3 brothers, John, Walter and Matthew Tarsa, and by 3 sisters, Mary Tarsa, Mary Brown and Veronica Burnette. The funeral will be on Tuesday, March 23, at 9:00AM from the PACIOREK FUNERAL HOME, 13 Hoosac St., Adams, followed by a Liturgy of Christian Burial at 10:00AM in the Parish Church of Pope John Paul the Great, Adams, celebrated by Rev. Daniel J. Boyle, Pastor. Burial will follow in St. Stanislaus Cemetery, Adams. Calling hours are Monday from 4:00PM to 7:00PM at the funeral home. Memorial donations may be made to the Bridges Activity Program at Melbourne or the Alzheimer's Association through the funeral home.

Raymond J. Tarsa

August 9, 1916 - March 19, 2010